Jeremy Sochan, Knicks
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Jeremy Sochan joins the New York Knicks after the San Antonio Spurs released him.
The New York Knicks beat out nine other teams to land Jeremy Sochan, and according to the former lottery pick, the decision was never complicated.
After being released by the San Antonio Spurs when no trade materialized at the deadline, Sochan quickly emerged as one of the most coveted players on the waiver market. But when it came time to choose his next stop, New York stood above the rest.
“New York was always at the top,” Sochan said during his introductory press conference. “I really had refreshing and really good conversations with the organization, the front office and the coach. I was always excited about this opportunity.”
Why Sochan Chose Knicks Despite Crowded Rotation
At first glance, Sochan’s choice raised eyebrows.
He left San Antonio after being removed from the Spurs’ regular rotation, only to join a Knicks roster stacked with established wings and championship expectations. Yet Sochan said the situations could not be more different.
“One of the reasons why I picked New York is it’s a very deep roster with a lot of really talented players,” Sochan said. “But I think it’s a pretty cool opportunity to watch and grow from that, too. I still think I’m young, so being around players that have established themselves and done a lot in this league is a crazy opportunity for me.”
Unlike the Spurs, who are anchored by a young core still developing roles, the Knicks feature a veteran-heavy group built to contend now. For Sochan, that environment represented growth rather than limitation.
Confidence Remains, Even Without Guaranteed Minutes
Despite joining a team with no guaranteed rotation spot available, Sochan expressed confidence that his time would come.
“I do believe in myself, and I believe I can do well on the court,” he said. “But I look at it as the bigger picture. I think I can be a part of this and grow in general.”
Sochan signed a rest-of-season deal with New York, understanding that his role may initially be situational. The Knicks, however, view his presence as strategic depth rather than redundancy.
Mike Brown Sees Defensive Insurance in Sochan
Knicks head coach Mike Brown highlighted Sochan’s physical profile and defensive versatility as immediate strengths.
“When you look at Jeremy, you like his size right off the bat, especially for a forward,” Brown said after Wednesday’s practice. “OG is of that size, but nobody else is really of that size.”
Brown views Sochan as insurance depth at the wing, especially if OG Anunoby or Josh Hart miss games.
That insurance has already proven relevant. Hart has missed 12 games this season, while Anunoby has missed 14.
Former Lottery Pick Brings Size, Switchability
Sochan arrives as a 6-foot-9 forward with a 7-foot wingspan and a reputation built largely on defense.
Selected ninth overall in the 2022 NBA Draft, he was once viewed as a cornerstone of San Antonio’s rebuild. Over his first three seasons, Sochan started 149 games, averaging 27.3 minutes while posting 11.4 points, 6.1 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game.
Defensively, he earned early trust from Gregg Popovich and later interim coach Mitch Johnson due to his strength, physicality and ability to guard multiple positions.
Offensively, the fit never fully stabilized. Sochan has shot 28.7 percent from three for his career, and the Spurs experimented with him as a point forward, small-ball center and defensive specialist. The versatility highlighted his adaptability but also reflected uncertainty about how best to deploy him.
Team-First Approach Fits Knicks Identity
After his first practice with the Knicks, Sochan emphasized the traits he believes will help him carve out a role.
“I do everything team-first,” he said. “I’m always going to be there for my teammates, bringing energy, positive vibes. Consistency is the most important thing. Whether that’s on the court or off it, I’m going to be myself every time.”
For the Knicks, Sochan represents depth, flexibility and long-term upside. For Sochan, New York represents clarity — a place he believed in from the start.
As he put it plainly: when the opportunity came, the choice was already made.